Crossword Genius

No longer needed by group - a stand-in (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

past

'no longer' is the definition.

'by group a stand-in' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'PAST' is hidden within 'by group a stand'.

'needed' is the link.

(Other definitions for past that I've seen before include "Gone by in time" , "A person's earlier life history" , "Finished, gone" , "historical times" , "Bygone" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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